The best thing about Women’s Day is that there is more than one. Technically, there are 365 of them a year, but if we are speaking strictly about the ones with “holiday” banners, there is still choice. International Women’s Day on 8 March is the familiar headline act, but the UAE has its own encore: Emirati Women’s Day, celebrated every year on 28 August since 2015.

The occasion was introduced by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, known as the “Mother of the Nation”. It honours Emirati women and their pivotal role in shaping the UAE, with the date commemorating the founding of the General Women’s Union in 1975. In other words, it is both a national milestone and a perfectly valid reason to treat yourself. Or, if you are a man, to treat the women in your life (yes, plural — sisters, wives, mothers, colleagues; your call).

So, how to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day 2025 in Dubai? Whether you lean towards retail therapy, street art, or spa robes, the city is fully prepared.

Let's be honest: not every shopping day is a holiday, but every holiday is a shopping day in disguise. THAT Concept Store has curated a collection that reads like a love letter to wardrobes, beauty counters, and living rooms alike. From timeless staples to chic interiors, it is a stylish nod to the women who inspire us daily.

On August 28 and 29, the store transforms with a Trio pop-up, plus complimentary matcha and coffee with every purchase. Shopping and caffeine? Frankly, that is almost feminism’s fifth wave.

Not keen on a shopping spree? Cinema saves the day. On Emirati Women’s Day, Cinemacity rolls out its EWD Package (100 AED): a VIP ticket and a medium popcorn (salted, cheese, or caramel — you will debate it longer than the film’s plot twist). Reclining leather seats and luxury service seal the deal. Whether you choose a high-octane blockbuster or a romcom that doesn't quite deserve its stars, the evening will feel rather elevated.

For those who prefer sneakers to stilettos, Activate at City Centre Mirdif has the antidote to passive celebration: a buy-one-get-one gaming session across 9 rooms, 50 games, and 100 levels. On Emirati Women’s Day, the 7–9 pm slot is reserved exclusively for women, staffed entirely by women. It is cardio, camaraderie, and a hint of chaos — a winning combination.

Jewelry is always a safe bet, but jewelry with cultural gravitas? That is a masterstroke. Emirati designer Noora Shawgi has joined forces with Tanagra to create a bespoke jewelry box and travel pouch. Inspired by Al Khous and Sadu weaving traditions, the pieces embody strength and elegance. Limited in number, available in-store and online, they are more than accessories — they are heirlooms with an Emirati signature.

On August 28, Harrods celebrates Emirati Women’s Day 2025 with an exclusive edit that mixes luxury with legacy. Think Sophie Bille Brahe earrings, Annoushka lockets, Fragrance du Bois perfumes, Zuhair Murad kaftans, and Christian Louboutin heels. In other words, enough opulence to make even your reflection jealous.

This curated collection doesn't just adorn; it narrates five decades of women’s empowerment in the UAE. Jewelry, fragrance, fashion, and even a Luxury Halal Hamper become storytelling devices in their own right.

Here is your chance to channel your inner Banksy (legally, of course). On August 28, Graffiti Dubai offers women a free 20-minute freestyle graffiti session, complete with Emirati Women’s Day stencils. Overalls are provided, though a warning: your creative genius might spill beyond the canvas. It is colourful, messy, and thoroughly liberating.

Busy schedule? No problem. Cutfish presents its business lunch menu all day on August 28, paired with a complimentary mocktail and a Chocolate Box dessert. For 119 AED, diners enjoy a four-course spread that moves effortlessly from Salmon Sashimi to Chicken Katsu. Efficiency never tasted so indulgent.

Wellness, but elevated. The Banyan Tree Spa’s Rainforest Experience delivers saunas, steam rooms, vitality pools, and heated loungers in one serene suite. Follow with Afternoon Tea at Tocha, featuring roasted soya, matcha roll cake, and sparkling date juice. It is self-care, group bonding, and gourmet indulgence wrapped into one Bluewaters Island ritual.

So, whether you choose a shopping marathon, a cinematic escape, or a graffiti wall, Emirati Women’s Day 2025 in Dubai is not just another Thursday. It is a celebration of heritage, empowerment, and unapologetic enjoyment. Mark August 28 on your calendar, and perhaps mark it on someone else’s too. After all, good celebrations are meant to be shared.